The Department of Health is planning to more tightly control claims for exemption from prescription charges. This has been widely covered in the media between Christmas and the New Year, including on BBC Online, Radio 4's Today, The Times, The Independent, Daily Mail and Daily Express.

In response, the Prescription Charges Coalition issued the following comment:

“The system for prescription charge exemptions in England is confusing and makes little sense for those with long-term conditions. We are concerned that this push to clamp down on incorrect claims may unfairly penalise those who are unclear over the rules and land them with extra costs they may be able to ill-afford.

This may also cause anxiety and deter people from collecting their essential medication. Our research shows that prescription charges are already leading working age people with long-term conditions to self-ration their medication and compromise their health and ability to work.

This can result in health complications and extra costs down-the-line so is a false economy, as well as being counter to the fundamental principle of an NHS that is free at the point of need. We believe that everyone with a long-term condition in England should be exempt from prescription charges as they are in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.”

The moves have been strongly criticised by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (who are also members of the Prescription Charges Coalition) - you can read their position here.